What's Up, Up Here? All the news and gossip for Feb. 10-16

February 10, 2012

A Bald eagle hangs out on a fence post near the hot tubs. Photo/Jesse Barlet

During a snowstorm, why do the plows tilt so far over the side of the road? Town Councilman Matt Lehman wanted to know. Public Works Director Ray Jarvis told the town council that they were practicing for the “American Public Works Association’s Snow Plow Rodeo.” The council bought that for about a half second before Jarvis laughed and said they were removing icecaps that grow on the roadsides during and after storms. …

Michael Vee from the Mono Market sent in this seven-second YouTube video of … a man flying? Search “sierra nevadas ufo sighting 1-30-2012” and enjoy. …

At South Lake Tahoe’s Heavenly Ski Resort, the run turned into a runway last Sunday when a pilot landed a glider on a beginner slope. “We’re pretty outraged,” Heavenly’s Russ Pecoraro said. “This shouldn’t have happened. We think it’s irresponsible and selfish on behalf of the pilot and this company to put their plane in a crowded ski resort.” …

This from our pal Phil Watts: “You can tell a lot about a woman by her hands. For instance, it they’re placed around your throat she’s probably slightly upset.” And Happy Valentine’s Day to all! …

Unknown author: “No woman ever killed a man while he was washing dishes,” something to think about this V-Day. …

We kinda sorta already knew what the American Journal of Sports Medicine now proves: snowboarders suffer more injuries on the slopes than skiers, specifically, inexperienced female snowboarders. Researchers at the University of Vermont College of Medicine followed 10,733 skiers and snowboarders who wound up at the medical clinic of an unnamed Vermont ski resort between 1988 and 2006. Wrist, shoulder and ankle injuries are common among snowboarders, while knee ligament injuries (including ACL and MCL tears) take out the lion’s share of skiers. …

Crowley’s John Jackson won “Best Trick” at Whistler last weekend with a Double Cork 10. Don’t try this one at home! …

Nothing quite like a little diligence, but Olympic marathoner Meb Keflezighi got visits from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency three times in 17 days, and that may be a little much, doncha think? Tweets Meb: “It’s all good by me.” …

Happy Birthday, Sydney Duffy! …

Not quite sure what to think about the Jack in the Box plan to sell a bacon-flavored milkshake at their fast food joints, but it’s good to know other markets will test it before such a thing hits Carl’s Jr. or Mickey D’s. …

Biggest construction site in Europe is Sochi, Russia, site of the 2014 Winter Olympics. More than 50,000 workers are preparing 11 venues, including alpine skiing’s downhill course, Rosa Khutor, near the once sleepy mountain village of Krasnaya Polyana. …

The wild wolf designated as OR7 continued to roam around Lassen County this past week. That dog needs a name, though, in our opinion. Fenris? (Scandinavian mythology); Wolfgang? Readers, halp! …

Intrepid Dan Hansen, still on his Dan Across America (DAMM) solo bike tour, enjoyed Super Bowl Sunday in Phoenix with family. Keep on pedalin’ is what we say. …

Inveterate fan of all things New England (Sawx, Pats, Broons), Mammoth’s John Urdi took the Super Bowl result hard. “Was considering taking the kids to Disneyland for February break but I can’t afford the jail time if I ran into Eli Manning while there,” says he. …

Happy 40th, Chris Lieto and Byng Hunt, not 40! …

Mammoth Unbound parksters have seen their share of amazing stuff, but watching that kid standing three-feet tall and spinning 7s on 50-foot jumps is really something. His name is Judd Henkes, and the last time someone saw him, he had a black eye. “Cab 7 to switch back 7 but I over-rotated to 9,” the 10-year-old said. …

Finally, this on Facebook from Abe Mascarenas: “Last Friday Jessica and I had to put down the Best Dog in the whole wide world, ‘Elvis Dog.’ The last couple of days before the wheels just fell off, he could no longer get up off the floor by himself and couldn’t walk, his tail still worked. We aren’t sure what happened but he took a sudden turn for the worse. He was almost 15 years old and we knew the time was coming and Friday was the day. He had a great life. Give your pets a big hug for us.”